SpaceOdysseyHub
plannedCNSA

Tianwen-2 (Asteroid Sample Return)

China's first asteroid sample return mission targeting near-Earth asteroid 469219 Kamo'oalewa (2016 HO3), a quasi-satellite of Earth that may be a fragment of the Moon. Will collect surface samples and return them to Earth, then continue to flyby a main-belt comet. If successful, China joins Japan and the US as the only nations to return asteroid samples.

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Budget

Undisclosed (est. >$500M)

Timeline

2025–2030

Key Milestones

Launch on Long March 3B (planned)

2025

Rendezvous with Kamo'oalewa — sample collection

2026

Sample capsule return to Earth

2027

Extended mission — flyby of main-belt comet 311P/PANSTARRS

2030

Contractors

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Sources

  • spacenews.com
  • planetary.org

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